MOUNT VERNON — Property owners in the 700 to 900 blocks of West High Street can get some help sprucing up their homes through the Knox County Landmarks Foundation.
“We are concluding the grant that we had for a rehab program, and the money that we have left, we’re putting into a beautification project for West High Street,” foundation board member Russ McGibney explained.
“We’re just trying to make that incoming corridor into Mount Vernon a little more attractive.
McGibney said beautification projects can include exterior power washing or painting, landscaping, and repairing decks. Essentially, the grant covers exterior work that enhances the overall appearance and historic character of the neighborhood.
“We really want to encourage people to take this as a catalyst to continue on and do more.”
Russ McGibney, chair of the ReHHUP program, Knox County Landmarks Foundation
He cited porches that need attention as an example of improving safety as well as enhancing appearance.
“We want to be flexible, because we only have about $11,000 to $12,000,” he said.
“A lot of what we really want to do is clean up. Address a lot of the landscaping, get out not big trees, but the scrub little stuff that grows up next to the house, get some mulch down.”
The grant money is through the foundation’s ReHHUP program (Reinvesting in Historic Homes Update Program).
“We’re working with Lowe’s to try and get a discount from them so that the landowner can continue on with things,” McGibney said.
Property owners encouraged to apply quickly
The foundation is collaborating with a contractor and students from the Knox County Career Center to provide homeowners support in completing their projects.
“There are some students that need community service credits before the end of the year. That’s why we’re trying to get things done in May,” McGibney explained.
Property owners must be the ones to apply, not tenants.
Individual grant amounts are based on how many property owners apply and the scope of each project.
The earlier property owners can apply, the better.
“We have deadlines with the career center if we’re going to use them, and the contractor’s going to get busy real quick, too,” McGibney said.
Foundation president Carol Rine said, “We want to definitely have everything done by June.”
“We’ve got some time here in the next two weeks that we’ll be able to go around to the people’s houses and look and see what they’re asking for, and see what we can fit into our pocketbook.”
Property owners interested in applying for grant money can call Rine at 740-263-9326 or McGibney at 740-504-6265.
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